You have heard about VPNs, and you like the idea of having a service that can help to keep you safe online and that will hide your IP address. However, if you are new to this field, there is a good chance you are still trying to figure out how everything works and what you need to do to get started.
Let’s take some time to learn more about the process and then we’ll provide you with some simple tips that you can use when you are looking, to begin with, these types of services.
It is easier than you think and it can provide you with a wealth of benefits.
Why a VPN?
First, make sure you understand the basics of what a VPN can do and why the best value VPN could be a good option for you.
People deserve to have privacy when they are online, and that is where a VPN can help. They will hide your IP address, which means you can visit sites online, even those that are normally blocked in your area, without anyone being able to tell that it is you visiting those sites.
This has proven to be helpful for those who are living in areas with restrictive governments, and those who want to access better Netflix catalogs.
Another one of the good reasons to use VPNs is that they will reduce the chance of getting hacked. It is difficult for hackers to know who you are, so you will end up safer with all your actions on the web.
Read More: The Complete VPN glossary
Top ↑Tip #1: Know How VPN Works
One of the best tips for those who are interested in VPNs is to learn the basics of how they work. Instead of just getting a VPN and “letting it work its magic”, understanding how they work is important.
When you connect to the web in the normal fashion, you will first connect with your ISP, or Internet service provider. The ISP will then connect you with the websites you visit. All the traffic goes through the servers that belong to the ISP, which means they can see and know exactly what you are doing and where you are going.
However, when you choose to use a VPN, you will not have to worry about this issue, as you are connecting to servers run by the VPN. They have encrypted connections, which means no one will know what you are doing when you are on the web, and they cannot tell where your traffic is going. In some cases, this is called a VPN tunnel, but it all means the same thing.
Read More: The Complete VPN glossary
Only you and the VPN server knows what’s happening and where you are going.
What does this mean for the ISP? It means the ISP is unable to see or know what you are doing since everything is routed through the VPN server. The only thing the ISP will know is that you are going through a VPN service. When you connect, it will appear as though you are connecting from the location of that server.
Therefore, if you want to watch the Netflix American catalog and you are in another country, you would want to have access to a VPN server located in the United States. When you log onto your Netflix account, you will then have access to the shows available in the US because it will appear as though you are logging on from the US.
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Tip #2: Feel Free to Use Wi-Fi Hotspots
Many people have tablets and smartphones that they use to connect to the web. In fact, people are using this option to get online as much or more than the computers they have at home.
However, when you connect through a public Wi-Fi hotspot, it can be dangerous. Hackers and thieves often target these locations. However, when you have a VPN service, your connection is encrypted. This means that even if there is a hacker who can access the data, they would not be able to read it. Even when you are on Wi-Fi, you are safe.
Read More: Ultimate Guide to VPN Encryption
Top ↑Tip #3: Know How to Choose the Right VPN
When you are choosing a VPN, you cannot simply choose the first service you find. You need to do your homework. You need to be sure the service can provide you with as much privacy as possible when you are online.
This means you want to choose a company that does not record any logs. In addition, you want to work with a company that will allow the types of activities that you plan to do on the web, such as streaming or torrenting. Understand the policies of the companies before you make your choice.
Even though buying a longer subscription is often the cheapest option, you might first want to choose a shorter option to give the service a “test drive”. This will let you know if it really is the right option for you or not.
Not sure what VPN to choose? Best Value VPN will help you to choose the right VPN for you just check our recommendations and read our in-depth reviews.
Top ↑Tip #4: Connect to the Server Closest to Your Destination
Another good tip to remember is that you should always choose a server to connect to that is as close as possible to the sites or services you want to visit for the best results. With all the encryption and decryption, VPNs will slow down your Internet. If you want to have faster results, especially if you want to stream video, you want to choose servers close to the destination.
For example, if you are located in Asia and you want to connect to Netflix in the US, you would likely want to find a VPN that had servers somewhere on the West Coast of the US. Fortunately, most of the VPN services have multiple options when it comes to the servers you can choose.
Read More: The Best VPN for Netflix – All you need to know
Since you want the fastest speeds possible, try to find out the speed performance of the various VPNs. Many of the companies are transparent with their speeds, and you can often use reviews that can give you an indication as to how fast the service will be.
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